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Jack Russell
Portrait of Jack Russell

Robert Charles Russell

Born: 15 August 1963, Stroud, Gloucestershire
Major Teams: Gloucestershire, England.
Known As: Jack Russell
Pronounced: Jack Russell
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Off Break
Other: Wicket-Keeper


Test Debut: England v Sri Lanka at Lord's, Only Test, 1988
Latest Test:
England v West Indies at Antigua, 6th Test, 1997/98

ODI Debut:
England v Pakistan at Peshawar, 3rd ODI, 1987/88
Latest ODI:
England v South Africa at Dhaka, Wills International Cup, 1998/99

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1990

Career Statistics:

TESTS
 (including 20/03/1998)
                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave     SR 100  50   Ct  St
Batting & Fielding   54   86  16  1897  128*  27.10  35.86   2   6  153  12

                      O      M     R    W    Ave   BBI    5  10    SR  Econ
Bowling               -      -     -    -    -     -      -   -    -    -

ONE-DAY INTERNATIONALS
 (including 25/10/1998)
                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave     SR 100  50   Ct  St
Batting & Fielding   40   31   7   423   50   17.62  66.30   0   1   41   6

                      O      M     R    W    Ave   BBI   4w  5w    SR  Econ
Bowling               -      -     -    -    -     -      -   -    -    -

FIRST-CLASS
 (1981 - 2002)
                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave 100  50   Ct  St
Batting & Fielding  452  672 140 16395  129*  30.81  11  86 1158 124

                      O      M     R    W    Ave   BBI    5  10    SR  Econ
Bowling               9.2    0    68    1  68.00  1-4     0   0  56.0  7.28

LIST A LIMITED OVERS
 (1982 - 2002)
                      M    I  NO  Runs   HS     Ave 100  50   Ct  St
Batting & Fielding  460  354  90  6439  119*  24.39   2  25  449  91

                      O      M     R    W    Ave   BBI   4w  5w    SR  Econ
Bowling               -      -     -    -    -     -      -   -    -    -

- Explanations of First-Class and List A status courtesy of the ACS.


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Profile:

Jack Russell's enthusiasm for cricket is boundless. After a distinguished England career, his commitment and efforts for his county are to be applauded. He remains one of the most talented wicket-keepers in the country, and his inspired performances were key to Gloucestershire's unprecedented run of one-day success in 1999 and 2000.

A combative player, Russell is quick to spot, and exploit, a mental or technical weakness. Behind the stumps, he relies on talent and reflexes. When batting, guts and determination figure more strongly than class and aesthetics.

Russell's Test career was continually put on hold as a weak England side tried desperately to utilise Alec Stewart as an all-rounder. He retired from Test cricket in 1998, though he has since hinted that it would be difficult to turn down a call for help from England.

Russell would freely admit that he is a quirky cricketer. His kit is old and threadbare, his batting style inventive, and his off-field antics and interests frequently the subject of ridicule. Shallow views about his personality abound, and many have used his individuality to criticise him.

Away from cricket, Russell is a talented painter, and runs his own gallery. His passion grew from the boredom of rain delays, and he has captured many great cricketing moments, including Australia winning the 1999 World Cup at Lord's.

Born in Stroud in Gloucestershire, Russell excelled at both cricket and soccer at school. His association with Gloucestershire began when he was ten, and he was playing first XI club cricket by the age of 14. Russell played representative cricket for England schools and Gloucestershire Young Cricketers, where he grew close to David Lawrence, the former England fast bowler.

Russell played his first first-class match aged 17, and made an immediate impression against the touring Sri Lankans, with six catches and a stumping, the best performance by a keeper on first-class debut.

By 1983 Russell had replaced Andy Brassington as Gloucestershire's first-choice keeper. Due to Brassington's popularity, Russell was not accepted by all of his team-mates. Despite this, his keeping was beginning to attract positive attention, even though his batting was disappointing.

Alan Knott and Bob Taylor had spoiled England, and after their retirement the wicket-keeping cupboard was looking bare. Paul Downton, Bruce French and Jack Richards were all tried, and Russell was eventually given his chance on England's infamous 1987 tour to Pakistan. He only played in one one-day international on tour, taking three catches.

Russell was one of four players to debut in England's 1988 Test with Sri Lanka. Despite struggling with the gloves in the first innings, he scored 94 as nightwatchman. Although the winter tour to India was cancelled, Russell had made his mark, and would cement his place in England's Ashes side. He was England's player of the series, making his first Test century at Old Trafford - also his first first-class hundred - and picking up 14 dismissals in the series.

But England were not satisfied with a wicket-keeper who could bat, wanting instead to bolster their side with batsman who could keep. Despite continued excellent form with the gloves, Russell's batting remained inconsistent and he was dropped for the Adelaide Test match in 1991, replaced by Alec Stewart. From this match, Russell's appearances were seemingly dictated by the whims of the selectors, and the perceived notion that five bowlers were needed to win Test matches.

Although Russell remained a regular in the England Test side, he was never guaranteed his place. He toured Australia in 1994/95, but was essentially surplus to requirements, particularly with Stewart keeping well.

Russell was given an extended run in South Africa in 1995/96, one of his most successful tours. Hansie Cronje became his 100th Test victim, and his 11 catches at Johannesburg broke the world record. It was in the Johannesburg Test that his famously determined batting was needed. He batted for nearly five hours, as Mike Atherton's mammoth effort saved the Test match. Though he made only 29, he frustrated South Africa's bowlers with his exaggerated leave (which Courtney Walsh would copy) and never-say-die attitude.

A second Test century in 1996 helped to secure his place, though his open stance against the spinners prompted much criticism. This was to be his last season as Gloucestershire captain, though he continued to offer support to the new skipper Mark Alleyne.

The make-up of the England side remained unsettled, and Russell lost out in Zimbabwe and New Zealand, playing only eight days of cricket during the 1996/97 winter. Not required in the 1997 Ashes, Russell's last Test tour was to the West Indies in 1998, where he struggled. He took no catches in his last Test, and scored only nine runs.

After 54 matches, Russell's Test career was over. He will be remembered as one of England's finest wicket-keepers, though his best years behind the stumps were still to come. As Gloucestershire swept the board in one-day cricket, Russell's keeping was revolutionised. Standing up to the fast bowlers, his quick gloves kept batsmen in check and ensured unlikely catches and stumpings. He recovered from a slipped disc in 2001 to play the latter half of the season. With his reflexes as sharp as ever, and with the support of an adoring Gloucestershire public, there is no reason for Russell to put away his gloves for some time. (Copyright CricInfo, January 2002)

* Last Updated: Saturday, 09-Nov-2002 14:14:04 GMT


 
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